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   Re·treat

   /rəˈtrēt/

   

   verb

   • 1. (of an army) withdraw from enemy forces as a result of their superior power or after a defeat: "the French retreated in disarray" Similar withdrawretiredraw backpull backpull outfall backgive waygive groundrecoilfleetake flightbeat a retreatbeat a hasty retreatrun awayrun offmake a run for itrun for itmake offtake offtake to one's heelsmake a break for itboltmake a quick exitclear outmake one's getawayescapehead for the hillsinformal:beat itvamooseskedaddlesplitcut and runshow a clean pair of heelsturn tailscramhook itfly the coopskip offdo a fadedo a runnerscarperdo a bunkleg itlight outbug outcut outpeel outtake a powderskiddoogo throughshoot througharchaic:flylevantOpposite advancedig in
   • ▪ move back or withdraw: "it becomes so hot that the lizards retreat into the shade" Similar go outebbrecedeflow outfallgo downOpposite come in
   • ▪ withdraw to a quiet or secluded place: "after the funeral he retreated to the shore"
   • ▪ change one's decisions, plans, or attitude, as a result of criticism from others: "his proposals were clearly unreasonable and he was soon forced to retreat" Similar change one's decisionchange one's mindchange one's attitudechange one's plansback downclimb downdo a U-turnbacktrackbackpedalrow backretractreconsidereat one's wordseat humble piegive inconcede defeatshift one's grounddo an about-turn
   • ▪ (of shares of stock) decline in value: "shares retreated 32 points to 653 points"
   • ▪ move (a piece) back from a forward or threatened position on the board.

   noun

   • 1. an act of moving back or withdrawing: "a speedy retreat" Similar withdrawalpulling backflightrare:katabasisOpposite advance
   • ▪ an act of changing one's decisions, plans, or attitude, especially as a result of criticism from others: "the unions made a retreat from their earlier position" Similar climbdownbackdownretractionconcessionabout-faceU-turnrowbackabout-turn
   • ▪ a decline in the value of shares of stock.
   • 2. a signal for a military force to withdraw: "the bugle sounded a retreat"
   • ▪ a military musical ceremony carried out at sunset, originating in the playing of drums and bugles to tell soldiers to return to camp for the night.
   • 3. a quiet or secluded place in which one can rest and relax: "their mountain retreat in New Hampshire" Similar refugehavenresortasylumsanctuarysanctum sanctorumhideawayhideouthiding placecottagedachasheltercabindenlairnestinformal:hidey-hole
   • ▪ a period of seclusion for the purposes of prayer and meditation: "the bishop is away on his annual retreat" Similar seclusionwithdrawalretirementsolitudeisolationhidingprivacysanctuaryrare:sequestrationreclusion

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French retret (noun), retraiter (verb), from Latin retrahere ‘pull back’ (see retract).

   Scrabble Points: 7

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2. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › retreat_1retreat noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › english › retreat_1

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   to go away or back quickly, especially to avoid something unpleasant. I decided to beat a hasty retreat. Definition of retreat noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retreatsRetreats Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retreats

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   The meaning of RETREAT is an act or process of withdrawing especially from what is difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable. How to use retreat in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Retreat.

4. en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › retreatretreat - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.m.wiktionary.org › wiki › retreat

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   Mar 23, 2024 · retreat (plural retreats) The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant. The act of reversing direction and receding from a forward position. A peaceful, quiet place affording privacy or security.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › retreatersRETREAT Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retreaters

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   noun. the forced or strategic withdrawal of an army or an armed force before an enemy, or the withdrawing of a naval force from action. the act of withdrawing, as into safety or privacy; retirement; seclusion. a place of refuge, seclusion, or privacy: The library was his retreat. an asylum, as for the insane.

6. www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › retreatRetreat - Definition, Meaning, Synonyms, Etymology

   www.betterwordsonline.com › dictionary › retreat

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   verb. /rɪˈtriːt/ IPA. Dictionary definition of retreat. To withdraw or move back from a particular place, situation, or engagement. "The soldiers were ordered to retreat from the battlefield to regroup." Detailed meaning of retreat.

7. www.oed.com › dictionary › retreat_v2retreat, v.² meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

   www.oed.com › dictionary › retreat_v2

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   What does the verb retreat mean? There is one meaning in OED's entry for the verb retreat . See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryRETREATING | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

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   to go away from a place or person in order to escape from fighting or danger: Attacks by enemy aircraft forced the tanks to retreat ( from the city ). When she came towards me shouting, I retreated (behind my desk ). Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. to go backwards. reverse The road ahead was blocked by a tree so I had to reverse.